Recent Developments In Cryogenics Research

Cryogenics, a term commonly used to refer to very low temperatures, had its beginning in the latter half of the 19th century. Traditionally, this field is separated from Cryogenic Engineering and Low Temperature Physics (LTP). Cryogenic engineering is concerned with the design and development of low-temperature systems and components, while low temperature physics is more related to the fundamental research of material or fluid properties. This book discusses some recent findings and developments as well as gives an outlook on the fields of helium cryogenics and LTP. The main focus will be given to the helium cryogenics, though a smaller review is also presented for the fields of cryogenic energy storage facilities. Some future trends and R&D activities are also discussed. To orient the reader, the first four chapters are related to LTP, while the major part of the book is then devoted to helium cryogenics, for example, refrigeration techniques, cryostats, low temperature electronics, safety, etc. It should be particularly suited for advanced students, young researchers or engineers, who are intending to proceed with careers in helium cryogenics or LTP. However, the authors believe that the book will also be of value to experienced scientists, since it describes several very recent advances in experimental low temperature physics and technology, for example, ultra-low temperature technique and thermometry, as well as progress in helium cryogenics, such as heat transfer, cryostat designs for large facilities, and refrigerator developments. Extensive references are provided for the readers interested in the details of the cryogenic engineering advances. And last but not least, the authors hope that this book will widen the horizons of many without a solid state background, but with a general interest in low temperature physics and helium cryogenics. In attempting to cover such a wide field, a large degree of selection has been necessary, as complete volumes have been written on many topics which here have had to be covered in very few pages or less. It is inevitable that not everyone will agree with the present choice, especially if it is their own subject which has been discussed very briefly or not mentioned at all, and the editor accepts full responsibility for the selections made. The book is written at a level which should be followed by a university graduate in science or engineering, although, if their background has not included a course in cryogenic engineering, general or solid-state physics, some groundwork may be lacking.

This is a benchmark reference work on Cryogenic Engineering which chronicles the major developments in the field. Starting with an historical background, this book reviews the development of data resources now available for cryogenic fields and properties of materials. It presents the latest changes in cryopreservation and the advances over the past 50 years. The book also highlights an exceptional reference listing to provide referral to more details.

The University of Colorado and the National Bureau of Standards have once again served as hosts for the Cryogenic Engineering Conference in Boulder, Colorado. In presenting the papers of this twelfth annual meeting, the 1966 Cryogenic Engineering Conference Committee has again recognized the excellent cooperation which has existed between these two organizations over the past decade with regard to both cryogenic research and conference activity. This cooperation was demonstrated not only at the 1966 Cryogenic Engineering Conference but also at the International Institute of Refrigeration, Commission I Meeting, which was also hosted by these two organizations immediately following the Cryogenic Engineering Conference. These two meetings have provided attendees with one of the most comprehensive coverages of cryogenic topics that has ever been presented at one location. Emphasis on major international advances in helium technology at the International Institute of Refrigeration, Commission I Meeting has been possible largely through the National Science Foundation Grant GK 1116 to the University of Colorado. The Cryogenic Engineering Conference Committee gratefully acknowledges this support because of its valuable international contribution to the Cryogenic Engineering Conference. As in the past, the Cryogenic Engineering Conference Committee is grateful for the continued assistance of all the dedicated workers in the cryogenic field who have contributed their time reviewing the preliminary papers for the program and the final manuscripts for this volume.

The Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon, was the venue for the 1997 Cryogenic Engineering Conference. The meeting was held jointly with the International Cryogenic Materials Conference. John Barclay, of the University of Victoria, and David Smathers, of Cabot Performance Materials, were conference chairmen. Portland is the home of Northwest Natural Gas, a pioneer in the use of liquid natural gas, and Portland State University, where cryogenic research has long been conducted. The program consisted of 350 CEC papers, considerable more than CEC-95. This was the largest number of papers ever submitted to the CEC. Of these, 263 papers are published here, in Volume 43 of Advances in Cryogenic Engineering. Once again the volume is published in two books. CEC PAPER REVIEW PROCESS Since 1954 Advances in Cryogenic Engineering has been the archival publication of papers presented at the biennial CEC!ICMC conferences. The publication includes invited, unsolicited, and government sponsored research papers in the research areas of cryogenic engineering and applications. All of the papers published must (1) be presented at the conference, (2) pass the peer review process, and (3) report previously unpublished theoretical studies, reviews, or advances in cryogenic engineering.

Twenty five years have elapsed since the original publication of Helium Cryogenics. During this time, a considerable amount of research and development involving helium fluids has been carried out culminating in several large-scale projects. Furthermore, the field has matured through these efforts so that there is now a broad engineering base to assist the development of future projects. Helium Cryogenics, 2nd edition brings these advances in helium cryogenics together in an updated form. As in the original edition, the author's approach is to survey the field of cryogenics with emphasis on helium fluids. This approach is more specialized and fundamental than that contained in other cryogenics books, which treat the associated range of cryogenic fluids. As a result, the level of treatment is more advanced and assumes a certain knowledge of fundamental engineering and physics principles, including some quantum mechanics. The goal throughout the work is to bridge the gap between the physics and engineering aspects of helium fluids to provide a source for engineers and scientists to enhance their usefulness in low-temperature systems. Dr. Van Sciver is a Distinguished Research Professor and John H. Gorrie Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Florida State University. He is also a Program Director at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL). Dr. Van Sciver joined the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the NHMFL in 1991, initiating and teaching a graduate program in magnet and materials engineering and in cryogenic thermal sciences and heat transfer. He also led the NHMFL development efforts of the cryogenic systems for the NHMFL Hybrid and 900 MHz NMR superconducting magnets. Between 1997 and 2003, he served as Director of Magnet Science and Technology at the NHMFL. Dr. Van Sciver is a Fellow of the ASME and the Cryogenic Society of America and American Editor for the journal Cryogenics. He is the 2010 recipient of the Kurt Mendelssohn Award. Prior to joining Florida State University, Dr. Van Sciver was Research Scientist and then Professor of Nuclear Engineering, Engineering Physics and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1976 to 1991. During that time he also served as the Associate Director of the Applied Superconductivity Center. Dr. Van Sciver received his PhD in Low Temperature Physics from the University of Washington-Seattle in 1976. He received his BS degree in Engineering Physics from Lehigh University in 1970. Dr. Van Sciver is author of over 200 publications and patents in low temperature physics, liquid helium technology, cryogenic engineering and magnet technology. The first edition of Helium Cryogenics was published by Plenum Press (1986). The present work is an update and expansion of that original project.

The First International Cryogenic Materials Conference (ICMC) provided a new forum for the presentation of low-temperature materials research. The confer ence, held in conjunction with the 1975 Cryogenic Engineering Conference, provided materials research personnel with excellent exposure to current develop ments in the cryogenics field and beneficial interactions with designers of cryogenic systems. Because of the large response to a late call for papers, the enthusiasm and encouragement at the meeting, and the wide spectrum and high quality of papers, the Second International Cryogenic Materials Conference is being planned along with the 1977 Cryogenic Engineering Conference for Boulder, Colorado, in the summer of 1977. The success of the First International Cryogenic Materials Conference was certainly in large measure due to the excellent hospitality of our Canadian hosts, the Royal Military College of Canada and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. In particular, the efforts of A. C. Leonard and his staff ensured an excellent conference and a pleasant and memorable visit to Canada. The Cryogenic Engineering Conference Board was both generous and skillful in helping to initiate this new conference and their guidance and acceptance is gratefully acknowledged. The Cryogenic Engineering Conference program chairman, M. J. Hiza, greatly facilitated the interaction for the two conferences and provided valuable assistance in generat ing a workable program. The proceedings of the 1975 Cryogenic Engineering Conference are published as Volume 21 of the Advances in Cryogenic Engineering and include many papers indicating innovative use of new cryogenic materials properties data.

"Since 1954 Advances in Cryogenic Engineering has been the archival publication of papers presented at the biennial CEC/ICMC conferences. Advances in Cryogenic Engineering resides throughout the world in the libraries of most institutions that conduct research and development in cryogenic engineering and applied superconductivity. The publication includes invited, unsolicited, and government-sponsored research papers in the research areas of superconductors and structural materials for cryogenic applications. All of the papers published must (1) be presented at the conference, (2) pass the review process, and (3) report previously unpublished theoretical studies, reviews, or measurements of material properties at low temperatures." Victoria A. Bardos, Managing Editor

1969 marked the return of the Cryogenic Engineering Conference, now affiliated with the National Academy ofSciences through the Division ofEngineering, National Research Council, to the University of California at Los Angeles. As in 1962, the Cryogenic Engineering Conference gratefully acknowledges the assistance of UCLA, its Engineering and Physical Seien ces Extension Division, and in particular J. Dillon, S. Houston, H. L. Tallman, and their stafffor serving as hosts to the 1969 Cryogenic Engineering Conference. The National Academy of Sciences is a private honorary organization of more than 700 scientists and engineers elected on the basis of outstanding contributions to knowledge. Established by a Congressional Act of Incorporation, the Academy works to further science and its use for the general welfare by bringing together the most qualified individuals to deal with scientific and technological problems of broad significance. The National Research Council was organized as an agency of the National Academy of Sciences in 1916, to enable the broad community of U.S. scientists and engineers to associate their efforts with the Iimited membership of the Academy in service to science and the nation. The Division of Engineering is one of the eight major Divisions into which the National Research Council is organized for the conduct of its work. Its membership includes representatives of the nation's leading technical societies as weH as a number of members-at-Iarge. The Cryogenic Engineering Conference is an organization of the Division of Engineering.